There is an anecdote about nagaswaram player Tirumeignanam P. Natarajasundaram Pillai, whose centenary is currently celebrated. After his cremation, the vettiyan (crematorium worker) is said to have remarked that his death had brought enormous relief to thavil players. Such was his rhythmic prowess that thavil players dreaded the prospect of accompanying him. The late thavil player Needamangalam Shanmugavadivel used to call him “Laya Yaman” or the Yama of Layam. Pallavi Natarajasundaram Pillai, as he was known, was renowned for performing mallaris. The available recordings are not only an invaluable documentation of his style but also a testimony to his astonishing grip on layam or thalam.
‘You are wrong’
“Thavil players should be extremely careful and follow him with utmost concentration.
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